Sustainable construction awareness project led by the Swiss Embassy in Cameroon

As part of the construction of its new premises in Cameroon, the Swiss Embassy wishes to raise awareness among a wide audience of the challenges of sustainable construction and the integration of these principles for a responsible future.

To support this initiative, the Embassy is organizing an urban art competition to select three artists or collectives who will have the opportunity to create murals on the temporary construction site fence on key themes such as sustainable cities, climate-adapted architecture, the use of local materials, and responsible citizenship.

Full details on how to participate are provided in the competition rules (PDF, 6 Pages, 3.1 MB, English).

Guidelines for the 2025 call for proposals for grants from the Swiss Embassy

Eligibility requirements

Timeline

• Deadline for applications: 31^st January 2025
• Expected grant date: 15 March 2025
• Maximum duration: 6 months
• Implementation period: between 1 April and 30 September

Submission of applications

Strictly by email to: yaounde.projets@eda.admin.ch

The application must contain:

• Completed Project Summary Form: Please download and save the provided template (PDF, 6 Pages, 797.6 kB) to your computer before filling it out. Any attempt to alter or modify the form will result in automatic rejection. To avoid technical difficulties when filling out the form, please ensure that your version of Adobe Reader is up to date.
• Project description: Proposals must be submitted using the template (PDF, 6 Pages, 797.6 kB) (6 pages). Applicants are advised to make full use of the space provided in the form and to adhere to the limits indicated. You are advised to be as precise as possible in order to allow the information to fit into the space provided for this purpose.
• Budget: Template provided. Carefully fill in just the yellow cells. Calculations are automatic.  You have the possibility to add lines. Budget indication: CFAF 6 million - CFAF 10 million.
• To ensure equal treatment and in light of the high volume of project proposals we receive, we are unable to accept meeting requests for project discussions. However, if you receive a positive response, you will likely be invited to a one-on-one meeting to further discuss the project's priorities.

Guidelines for small projects of the Swiss Embassy:

Objective

• An instrument to support small local initiatives in the field of local development.
• Small projects intended to support civil society actors, especially women, youth and minorities.
• Through targeted actions, small projects should contribute to innovative and sustainable solutions in the fields of development and human rights protection.

Selection criteria

• Organisers: Switzerland supports initiatives of groups (not individuals) with legal status in the country of implementation. The project leaders must have local ties (roots) and represent a non-governmental organisation. (Exceptions for cooperation with public institutions may be considered at the municipal level).
• Beneficiaries: Switzerland supports initiatives that mainly aim to promote dynamic actors of civil society, with a particular focus on women, youth and members of minorities.
• Thematic areas: Particular attention will be given to projects that present innovative ideas for promoting human rights and expanding civic space. Additionally, we welcome proposals that focus on the following thematic areas:
  • Political Participation and Inclusion
  • Civic Engagement and Advocacy
  • Conflict Prevention and Resolution
  • Political participation of women and persons with disabilities
• Multiplier effect: Priority is given to projects that provide the initial impetus for activities that can then develop and expand on their own.
• Sustainability: Priority is given to projects that are designed to ensure sustainable results over time.
• Effectiveness: Priority is given to projects that are simple and clearly defined, that do not duplicate objectives and activities, and whose implementation and impact can be monitored effectively.
• Verifiability: Project managers must convincingly demonstrate who benefits from the project, to what extent and in what way, exactly where and for how long the project will be implemented with reachable beneficiaries.
• Autonomy: The Swiss Embassy is not involved in the design of projects; it is the responsibility of the organisers to present a structured idea using the template.

Types of projects that cannot be funded:

• Projects that deal with topics that do not fall within the mandates of Swiss development cooperation.
• Projects by organisations that are already partners in a Swiss development cooperation project
• Commercial or semi-commercial projects for profit
• Charitable events (fundraising, sponsorships, etc.)
• Contributions to individuals
• Travel (flights or other transport) to/from abroad
• Material deliveries (books, clothes, vehicles, medicines, etc.)
• Scholarships for study visits or study tours in Switzerland (information on scholarships 2025 - 2026)

Selection of projects

Decision-making committee

• The Swiss Embassy aims to promote equal opportunities by diversifying its support among as many organizations as possible. Therefore, priority will be given to organizations that have not yet received funding from the Embassy before.
• Additionally, only one project per organization will be supported in any calendar year, even if multiple applications have been submitted.
• The results of the selection process will be communicated in writing between March 15 and March 30. However, reasons for the selection, acceptance, or rejection of an application will not be provided.

Contract

• The collaboration will be governed by a contract signed with the Embassy of Switzerland.
• The initial payment is contingent upon the signing of a contract. The final payment will be issued upon receipt of the final reports (both narrative and financial). The specific amounts and payment dates will be detailed in the contract.
• If selected, all focal persons must arrange to travel to Yaoundé to sign the project grant contract in person. Travel costs should be reasonable and included in the organization's own budget for the project. Embassy funds may not be used for administrative costs and must be allocated exclusively for project implementation.
• For your information, our contracts always include the following annex: Code of Conduct (PDF, 5 Pages, 812.1 kB, English)

Final Reports

The final implementation reports will include both a narrative report and a financial report:

• Narrative Report: The narrative report should not exceed 6 pages. The Logframe will serve as the primary reference for the Embassy's review, so organizations are encouraged to be as concise as possible. Organizations may use any reporting format that best suits their needs, and including photographs is recommended.
• Final Financial Report: This report should be limited to 1 page. Organizations are advised to reference the budget submitted with the project proposal, adding a column to indicate actual expenditures, and should attach copies of original receipts.